Complete de-silting of drains by May 15, orders L-G

In order to prevent water-logging on arterial roads and colony streets in the city during the monsoon, Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung has instructed the civic agencies to complete de-silting of drains by middle of May.

The L-G on Wednesday held a meeting with senior officials of the Delhi Government and the municipal corporations to review the preparedness for the monsoon, particularly the status of de-silting of drains in the Capital.

Officials said Secretary (Irrigation and Flood Control), Secretary (PWD), Commissioners of North, South and East Delhi Municipal Corporations and CEO, Delhi Jal Board made their respective presentations to the L-G about the preparation for the monsoon, including preparation to tackle floods in the Yamuna and drains, as also preparation to tackle heavy rainfall during the season.

The L-G has called for a review of the work done together with a status report by mid-May. The Lieutenant-Governor also instructed that the PWD and Municipal Commissioners must ensure that their Chief Engineers and Superintendent Engineers continuously monitor and assess the situation on the ground from the middle of May till the end of the monsoon season in September.

In order to fix accountability, an official said, the L-G has instructed the departments to assign responsibilities and submit the same to him at the earliest.

“There must be better intra-departmental coordination between the municipalities, the PWD and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department. All control rooms set up by different governmental agencies must be able to address the queries of the respondents, irrespective of whose jurisdiction it falls under,” Mr. Jung said in a statement.